Switch actuating mechanism



Nov. 21, 1939. R A. BLOOD I 5 SWITCH ACTUA' TING MECHANISM 11 a Aug. 11, less 2a 2750 5 21' 62 2 I is 52! I I. Be F 22 3 J1 Z2 17- ll I v f T l INVENTOR.

@fitz mw ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 21,1939

'swrron 'ACTUATING MECHANISM ,Robert A. Blood, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Grouse-Hinds Company, Syracuse,

porationof New York N. Y., a cor- Application August 11, 1938', Serial No. 224,349

5 Claims.

This invention relates to actuating mechanism for electrical switches, and more particularly to actuating mechanism for switches mounted in enclosed or explosion proof housingsand which are actuated by a stem slidably mounted in the housing or, cover of the housing.

The invention has as an object a switch actuating mechanism of particularly economical structure and which may be adjusted to accommodate switch handles of different height or.

length, and provided with means by which the extent of the movement of the stem may be conveniently adjusted.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

. In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a lengthwise sectional view of a switch housing and cover in which is arranged switch actuating mechanism involving my invention with a portion of the housing shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of the cover and switch actuating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail view of the switch actuating member arranged to accommodate a shorter switch handle than illustrated in. Figures 1 and 2.

The housing l0 maybe of any suitable form or construction. As here shown, the housing consists of a boxlike member having an open side on which the cover I is detachably mounted by screws I2 extending through openings |3 in the .cover and threading into the .open side of the box in the margin thereof. The housing l0 may be provided with one or more internally threaded hubs H to which the conduit line may be connected.

The switch I5 is of the conventional toggle type and may be mounted upon a supporting plate I6 which bridges the open side of the box and is secured at its ends to the box by screws l1. The switch handle 3 extends generally toward the cover II which is formed with a dome top portion 20 in which the switch actuating mechanism is arranged and which is controlled by a stem 2|' slidably mounted in the cover and provided at its outer end with a. suitable knob or operating manual 22. The switch actuating member is secured to the inner end of the stem 2| and cooperates with the end of the switch handle i8 to effect movement of the same into her with the end of the screw extending into on and off positions upon sliding movement of the stem 2|.

The switch actuating member is adapted to permit adjustment of the switch handle engaging portion thereof to be adjusted toward and from the axis of the stem 2| to accommodate switch handles of 'diflferent heights, and the actuating member is also cooperable with the inner side of the cover to prevent rotation of the member during sliding movement thereof, and the member is further provided with means cooperable with the cover to limit the axial movementof the stem and actuating member.

As here shown, the actuating member consists of a support member of general U formation having a shorter leg 23, a longer leg 24, the ends of the legs terminating in outwardly flaring flanges 25 which are provided with threaded extending groove 29. A screw 30 is threaded into the intermediate portion 21 of the support mem--.

the groove 29. Accordingly, the ends of the groove form a stop to limit axial movement of the stem 2| in both directions.

The switch actuating member further includes a switch handle engaging portion or member 32 likewise formed preferably of sheet metal and provided with a rectangular aperture 33 to receive the end of the switch handle l8. One side ofthe member 32 is formed with an outwardly extending flange 34 which terminates in a short angular flange 35; The flange 34 overlaps the flanges 25 of the leg portions 23, 24, and it detachably secured thereto by a screw 36. The short angular flange 35 serves to prevent relative movement between the switch handle engaging member 32 and the support member.

In switch actuating mechanism heretofore used, improper connection was afforded between the actuating member and the switch handle due to the various sizes and types of switches in which there is a considerable variation in the height of the handle due either to the length of the same or the general design of the switch.

My invention may be used with a switch having a shorter handle for example by removing the type previously used no means was provided for.

definitely controlling the travel of the stem 2|, with the result that if the knob 22 were struck a sharp blow the switch actuating member would tend to over-traveland thus break ofi the handle of the switch which 'is usually formed of Bakelite, or other fragile material.

My invention may be readily employed with a switch requiring a comparatively short travel of the stern 2| by inserting the screw in the intermediate portion 21 of the support member. The length of travel of the stem 2| is then definitely controlled by the length-of the groove 29 which,

in cooperation with the end of the screw 30, forms a positive stop in both directions.

In the event a switch is mounted in the housing requiring a longer movement of travel of the stem 2|, it is only necessary to remove the screw 30.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of an enclosed switch housing having a cover, a switch mounted in the switch housing and having an operating handle, of means carried by the cover for actuating the handle of the switch to move the same into on and off positions, said means comprising a stem slidably mounted in the cover, a support memher secured to the inner end of the stem and being provided with a plurality of surfaces ar-' ranged in different planes relative to the axis of said stem, a member cooperable with the handle of the switch and adapted to be interchangeably arranged on any one of said surfaces of the support, and means for detachably-securing said member to any one of said surfaces.

2. The combination of an enclosed switch housing having a cover, a switch mounted in the switch housing and having an operating handle, of means carried by the cover for actuating the handle of the switch to move the same into on and oil positions, said means comprising a stem slidably mounted in the cover, a support member secured to the inner end of the stem and being provided with a plurality of surfaces arranged indifferent planes relative to the axis of said stem, said support member being provided with a portion cooperable with said cover to prevent rotation of said support about the axis of and off positions, said means comprising a stem I slidably mounted in thecover, a U shaped member formed with leg portions of different length,

one of said leg portions being secured to the inner end of the stem with the intermediate portion of said U member arranged adjacent the inner top side of the cover, a switch handle engaging member adapted to be secured to the end of either leg portion of said U- member, and means for detachably securing said handle engaging member to either leg portion.

4. The combination of an enclosed switch housing having a cover, a switch mounted in the a switch housing and having an operating handle, of means carried by the cover for actuating the handle of the switch 'to move the same into on.

and oil positions, said means comprising a stem slidably mounted in the cover, the inner end of said stem being provided with a plurality of surfaces arranged in difierent planes relative to the axis of said stem, a switch handle actuating element and means operable to detachably secure said element to any one of said surfaces.

5. The combination of an enclosed switch housing having a cover member, a switch mounted in the switch housing and having an operating handle, of means carried by the cover for actuating the handle of the switch to move the same into on and off positions, said means comprising a stem member slidably mounted in the cover member, the inner end of said stem member being provided with a depending portion, a switch handle actuating element-carried by said depending portion and being adjustable on said portion toward and from the axis of said stem member,

means operable to detachably secure said actu-' ating element to said depending portion, said stem member being movable axially a predetermined distance relative to the cover member, and means carried by one of said members and cooperable with said other member to limit axial movement of said stem member to less than said predetermined distance.

ROBERT A. BLOOD. 

